WayForward's "Metroid with a cute genie girl" returns

Shantae: Risky's Revenge was one of the best games of 2010 that flew under everyone's radar. It's a damn shame, too--it's rare to find a well-designed, smart-playing nonlinear platformer with beautiful hand-drawn visuals these days.

Now fully human after losing her powers at the end of Risky's Revenge, WayForward's de facto mascot returns for another side-scrolling adventure in Shantae and the Pirate's Curse. Shantae will be teaming up with her arch-nemesis, sexy pirate captain Risky Boots, to reclaim the 30 pieces of Shantae's genie powers. Instead of her hip-shakin', belly-dancing transformations, Shantae will have to rely on upgradeable "Pirate Gear" like Bone Daggers that can create platforms as she travels another massive interconnected world that's reported to be twice as large as Risky's Revenge.

Metroid-alikes will always keep my handhelds glued in front of me, and this one is no exception. So far, there are no other details other than a projected 2013 release date, but I know I'll be following this one. For more images and art, be sure to check out the penultimate issue of Nintendo Power! Will you be whipping your hair back and forth in Shantae's newest adventure?